GLEN OROUA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 117, 18 April 1931, Page 14

GLEN OROUA

(From Our Own Correspondent.) GLEN OROUA, April 15. In connection with the working of the school during the past year, tho following roport and balance-sheet will be submitted by the committee for the consideration of householders present at tho annual meeting on Monday night next: —Committee : Tho personnel of tho committee during, and at the end of tho year, was as follows: Messrs W. A. Boswell (chairman), P. H. Farland, J. Wheeler, W. B. Croad and W. Wallace (secretary). School staff: Mr S. G. Parlano (head teacher) and Miss E. M. Phillips (assistant), as formerly. School roll and attendance: The averago roll of the school since tho last meeting, and up to tho present date, has been 66.3, with an average attendance of 62.9—a very good result, considering the distances many of the pupils have to travol. The prosent roll of tho school is 67, well abovo that required to maintain it at the present grade (3B). Tho highest roll number reached during the year was in May, 1930, when a record for the school, 71, was reached. Visits: During the year the school was visited by Mr Hodge, tho board's architect, who came to arrange for the erection of a cycle shed for the pupils, and the installation of tho pedestal system in connection with tho septic tank. This was on Mav sth, 1930. Since then both these jobs nave been carried out by tho hoard’s workmen. Mr E. Partridge, Education Department’s inspector, visited tho school on June 23rd, and again on Novomber 10th, tho reports on the working of tho school being exceptionally good. Dr Elizabeth Gunn, schools’ medical inspector, carried out an examination of tho pupils on September 23rd. Mr E. H. Lange, agricultural instructor to the board, paid several visits, and it is pleasing to note that the work done at the school has been very favourably commented upon by him. The environment certificate previously awarded by the board was endorsed for last year, and the report for tho first visit this year states that the school and surroundings continue to be maintained in first class order.

Buildings, etc.—ln addition to the erection of tho cycle shod, etc., previouslymentioned, the school fireplaces wero repaired by tho committee; a chain was placed round the swimming bath as a handrail for pupils; a bridge was built over tho liorso paddock drain, and a fence erected from the bridge to Sanson’s fence, on both sides of tho drain. Repairs to the artesian piping near tho pupils’ drinking tap, and other small but necessary jobs wore carried out by the chairman. Holidays ; In addition to the usual holidays, tho school was closed on May 28th for the Britain v. Manawhenua football match; for tho Palmerston North Show on June 20th, and again on November 7th; on account of Sir Joseph Ward s death on July Bth and 10th; and for the annual school picnic (Fobruary 6th) and Oroua Downs sports (February 18th). Cleaning; Tho cleaning of the school continues to bo carried out . by the senioi pupils under tho supervision of the head teacher, the pupils being paid for their work by the committee. On May 15th last a “working bee” consisting of Miss M. Sexton, Mrs G. Wheeler, Mrs 1 arlane, Miss Phillips, Master Cliff Hall, and the head teacher gave tho whole school a thorough cleaning out. Boys’ and Girls’ Club work.—The agricultural clubs continue to be a feature of the school work, and prize winners in connection with mangel growing were Bill Scott (98 tons to the acre), Ronald Howl (79 tons) and Harry Howl (78 tons). In maize growing Rawi and Nancy Davis were • prize winners with 66 and 55 bushels to the acre respectively. In the mangel competition this year there are 8 entrants. Tho Rongotea Farmers’ Union awarded a prize of 10 shillings for cultivation in connection with last year’s competition, and four pupils, Harry Howl, Ronald Howl, Cliff Hall and Bill Scott, tied for first place. At tho Palmerston North Show R. Howl obtained a prize for mangels, and U Hall and B. Scott for maize. As the outcome of a meeting hold at Rongotea lust July—when Messrs Howl, Boswell and Parlano were present—boys and girls calf clubs wero formed in the district. This school provided' 18 Entries, and the prizes won in tho various competitions showed that the quality of the stock in this district is exceptionally good in the local judging, carried out by Mr ti. K ; Green, of Kairanga, solely on condition, Charlie Webb’s entry was first, Bill Scott’s second, and Lorna Ransom s third. In tho group judging held at Rongotea on December 2nd, first, third, and fourth positions were obtained for condition and second, third, and fourth for dairy type. At the championship judging for Alanawatu, held on the Palmerston North Showgrounds on December 6th, Charlie Webb’s entry was fourth for condition, with tho same boy first for type, Olive Lucas second, and Bill Scott third. ihe competitors, their parents, and teachers were entertained at a function arranged bj Messrs Collinscn and Cunnmghame, Ltd., at their tea rooms the same afternoon, and the prizes were also presented. Swimming.—The teachers continue to spend a good deal of time in connection with this useful sport. Last year 19 pupys qualified for distance certificates, and 10 this year. Though this year s number of certificates is fewer, more pupils can swim, but as the shortest distance for which they can qualify is 50 yards, f°r other swimmers are not included in the total. Mi Parlane was successful in obtaining, last year, two cups valued at two guineas each from tho Herbert Smith Trust, of Hamilton. These were competed lor at the annual swimming sports held on February 20th and awarded for handicap events only The winner of the girls cup was Doris Sullivan with four points, while Graham Parlato and Maurico Huddleston tied for the boys’ cup with five points each. They decided to hold the cup for six months each. Sports.—The teachers spend a great deal of time out of school hours in connection with hockey, cricket, etc. Ihe girls entered a hockey team for the 1 hornson Shield competition last season, but did not win tho shield although they played well. Tho shortago of players proved somewhat of a handicap. The boys played several friendly matches with other schools, and along with the girls entered a team in tho Feilding tournament. Ihe girls won one game and drew two, while tho boys won three and drew 1, finally losing to Tokorangi by a “hit behind after extra time was played. In cricket, the boys played several friendly games with Oroua Downs, the outings proving most enjoyable. Teams of runners were sent to the Feilding and Sandon Sports this year, the performances put up being an improvement over last year s. The annual school picnic was held on Mr H, J. Lancaster’s propory on February 6th, and as usual proved a great suocess. Mr J. Wheeler deserves thanks for the trouble ho went to in providing prizes for the races for adults. The swimminfe sports, previously mentioned, proved very popular. a large crowd being present. Examinations.—The work of the school in general is highly satisfactory, the annual examinations showing a good standard of work throughout. At the proficiency examination held at Rongotea on December sth last, five candidates were presented, all passing. Annual “breakup” jvir J. K. Hornblow, district member of the Wanganui Education Board, and Mrs Hornblow were present at the annual ceremony held in the hall. An exceptionally fine concert programme arranged by Miss Phillips, assistant teacher, was staged the presentation of prizes, et*., being performed by Mr Hornhlow later in the afternoon. We desire to express our appreciation of the generous manner in which the parents contributed to tho picnic and prize fund, and also to tho donors of special prizes. General: To those ladies and gentlemen who have been good enough to provide cars on tho occasion of hockey matches, sports, etc., wo desire to give our best thanks, and tho harmonious relations existing among parents, teachers and committee can be productive only of much benefit to the district. The following is a copy of the balance sheet for the year ended February 28th: — General account: Rcoeipts: Bank balance, Ist March, 1930, £4 17s sd; capitation, £37. Payments: Cleaning, fuel and lighting, £l3 16s 6d; repairs and improvements, £35 17s Id; hooks and stationery, £5 11s; postage, bank fee, etc., 13s 7d; rent (horse paddock) £1; debit balance, £ls 0s 9d. Total, £56 18s 2d. Special account: Bank balance, Ist March 1930, £29 7s lid; picnio and prize collection, £l6 8s;

refunds by board, £l4 19s 3d; subsidies, £l6 7s Payments: Picnic, prizes, sports material, £2O 15s 8d; deposited with board, £l4 19s' 3d; exchange, 3s; bank balance, 28th February, 1931, £4l 4s 3d, less debit general account, £io 0s 9d; credit balance. £26 3s 6d. Total, special account, £77 2s A. T. Yarrall, of tho staff of the local Post Office, left on transfer for Huntervillo last Wednesday. His successor, Mr W. L. Combs, of the Wellington took over his dutios on Thurslocal Tennis Club intend holding another euchre party and dance in the hall on Friday night next. Air W. H. Boswell, Aliss Betty Boswell and Alastor Jack Boswell, formerly of Glen Oroua, and now of Ohaktine Junction, were visitors to the district for Easter.